Here they are as amended once
(mid-ninties, after the earthquake in 89 smashed the downtown they
rebuilt and opeed new senior housing downtown ... there were new
conflicts having to do with nighttime performances ... we added a bit
to make the new incoming performers aware of the old folks sleeping
on the upper floors of some of the buildings)

Tom Noddy

SANTA CRUZ STREET PERFORMERS

Dear performer,

This paper was designed by and agreed to by
your fellow performers. We are making them available to merchants,
and city officials, so that everybody knows the agreement. It
might be handed to you by one of them but it comes from many of
us.

In 1980, thirty-five Santa Cruz street
performers met to address a proposal by city officials to pass
laws that would ban or severely restrict street performing in
Santa Cruz. In an effort to avoid inflexible laws, the performers
proposed instead, to come to an agreement that recognized the
rights of performers, people working in the businesses, downtown
residents, and others who use the downtown. 35 street performers
came to consensus on those guidelines and agreement was reached
with merchants, the Downtown Neighbors' Association, the City
Council and other interested parties. A few times since,
performers met with representatives of the Downtown Association,
city officials, and others to update the agreement.

The following list of voluntary guidelines
represent that agreement. We believe that these guidelines reflect
the unwritten rules that street performers have worked with for
centuries (street performing is at least as old as
stores).

HOURLY ROTATION

It is recognized that one performer or act
monopolizing an area for a long time can make it difficult for
other performers and for the people working in the downtown
businesses. One hour rotation is thought to be reasonable. It is
also recognized that the performances take place in front of
businesses and that the people working in that business may ask a
performer to relocate after one hour if they are experiencing a
problem. While it is agreed that the public streets belong to no
one, it is suggested that talking with people working in the
stores will many times help to prevent
misunderstandings.

BLOCKING PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC

Gathering a crowd so large that they block the
sidewalk can create a problem for people trying to pass by. The
performer is usually in the best position to address the audience
and help to keep a clear passage on the sidewalk and through
doorways. It is also recognized that performances taking place in
front of business doorways and windows can be problematic, and
that people working in these businesses have a right to request
that performers move aside to prevent that problem.

SPACING

It is recognized that too many performers on
one block combine to create a sound that is disturbing to all,
including the workers and passers-by (the audience). It is
suggested that musicians be sensitive to their instruments (the
sound of bagpipes or conga drums carry further than that of a
dulcimer).

DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS

It is also recognized that we share the
downtown area with downtown residents. When he was still alive and
active on behalf of the rights of street performers, Tom Scribner
, (the street performer whose statue still entertains on Pacific
Avenue) asked that we respect his and other residents' need for
sleep. The city has a curfew on noise disturbance. From 10:00pm
till 8:00am musicians are in danger of being cited under this
ordinance.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions from satisfied listeners is the
only financial support afforded to a sidewalk entertainer.
Offensive vocal solicitation is not only rude behavior that works
against all street performers but is not very good for tips
either. An open instrument case or other receptacle is considered
appropriate.

YOUR COOPERATION AND RESPECT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
IS APPRECIATED

"Sidewalk entertainment has no cover
charge. There is no age limit, no dress code, and no minimum
drink. And it's not plugged into any nuclear power plant or any
other source of power but natural human energy." .